Open PDF files in multiple instances vs single instance

[gopher_everett]

Hello,

How do you change the setting to open multiple PDF files all in a single instance of PDF-XChange Editor vs multiple instances (ie each file having its own instance)?

I really like PDF-XChange Editor and have no intention of ever "exchanging" it for another application so please take the following as a very friendly point just for your consideration:

I've spent 30+ minutes looking everywhere I can think of and have not been able to locate what I believe should be an easy-to-find setting. I googled for the solution and quickly found a very clear and simple answer* — and the one I would expect: Edit > Preferences > General > Documents Layout. However, that apparently refers to an older version, as my current Version 6.0 (Build 320.1) has no "General" option. Also, searching the Help docs only led me to this statement: "A session is defined as an active instance of using PDF X-Change Editor to view/edit documents." which led to more searching to no avail. I'm sure it is right under my nose and will make perfect sense (location-wise) when someone replies but for now, I am clueless.

So my suggestion is: if terminology, etc, is to be changed (eg instance to session), please allow for older and more generally-recognized terminology to still be found in the docs.

Thanks

*https://www.pdf-xchange.com/knowle ... nge-Editor

[Ovg]

2gopher_everett

Edit->Preferences (Ctrl+K)->Documents
In right pane: Tab and Windows: Click Setup button

[Radi - PDF-XChange]

Hi Ovg,

Welcome to our forms and thanks for the post. You are correct, this is the menu that holds all Tabs and Windows options.

@gopher_everett, please enable the following option in order to be able to open each document in a separate window:

Tabs.jpg

Regards,
Radi

[gopher_everett]

Thanks for the prompt replies. As I suspected, that setting is very easy to access.

However, seeing the solution makes me want to reemphasize the main point of my previous post. The reason is that although I use PDF-XChange Editor almost every day, I am a user who only rarely goes into change settings. As a result, if I want to change this setting again six months from now, I most likely will not remember how to do it.

Furthermore, I would not think to look in the category "Documents" or under "Tabs and Windows" — particularly seeing the word "Setup...". Also, "Single document mode" would seem better labeled "Single window mode" since it really means multiple documents in a single window. As stated before, it would sure help if searching the docs with the word "instance" — even though it no longer appears in the settings — would take one to this particular area in the preferences.

Finally, please forgive my rant. I feel like a heel getting on here only when I have a beef and not on all the numerous occasions when I think about how much I like PDF-XChange Editor and appreciate its functionality and especially how "clean" it always looks. So please note that I purposely wanted to wrap-up this thread with the word Kudos!

[Radi - PDF-XChange]

Hi gopher_everett,

I understand your concern, however, there is a description of what Tabs and Windows settings are right next to the Setup button. If you read the description, you will definitely remember what setting will be shown when you hit the Setup button.

About the Single Document mode: I am afraid that you are mistaken about the use of this option. It is exactly what it says - Single document mode. You cannot open multiple documents when this option is enabled, as soon as you double click a PDF file - the already opened document will be closed and the new one opened in the Editor.

Regards,
Radi

[Will - Tracker Supp]

Hi gopher_everett,

I would just like to add to Radi's point on this and address your concern about the search for the term "instances" - This does not return anything because we do not use multiple instances. Multiple instances is a very specific term and means to use multiple processes, so that each subsequent window that is opened is a separate master process, and not a child process of the original. We use what are called multiple frames; this means that all subsequent windows that are open are all children of the same process, and that no additional processes are started (i.e. they're all new frames of a single instance).

Thanks,

[Jensen Head]

Is the blocking of additional documents opening in new windows—when a dialog box is already open in the first window—expected and intended behavior? When I enable the "Open each new document in a new window" setting, I expect the PDF-XChange Editor windows to be completely independent. However, the actual behavior shows one window blocking the other. This happens regardless of whether I click a PDF file in File Explorer or drag it onto a second PDF-XChange Editor window.

[Sean - PDF-XChange]

Hi Jensen,

I have asked the development team for their input here.

Kind regards,

[Sean - PDF-XChange]

Update—the development team have got back to me on this with the following:

"This is expected behavior.

The two Editor windows are separate top-level windows, but they still belong to the same application instance/process. A modal dialog opened by one window puts the application into a modal state, so the other windows belonging to the same instance cannot be interacted with until the dialog is closed.

In other words, separate windows do not mean separate application instances.

If the user needs completely independent windows, they can run the installed Editor and the portable version as two separate instances. A modal dialog in one instance will then not block interaction with the other."

Kind regards,